Clotel · Chapter
The Religious Teacher explained
In this chapter, Mr.
What happens
In this chapter, Mr. Peck and Carlton debate slavery and Christianity, with Georgiana Peck defending abolitionist views. Carlton visits the plantation and attends a Sunday sermon by Hontz Snyder, who preaches a pro-slavery interpretation of the Bible to the enslaved people. After the service, the enslaved characters critique the sermon, revealing their skepticism and resistance.
Themes in this chapter
Corruption of Christianity
Snyder's sermon and the catechism distort Christian teachings to enforce slave obedience, while Georgiana presents a genuine Christian abolitionist perspective.
Hypocrisy of American Democracy
Carlton and Georgiana invoke the Declaration of Independence and liberty, contrasting with the reality of slavery upheld by Mr. Peck and Snyder.
Heroism and Resistance
The enslaved characters subtly resist the pro-slavery sermon by criticizing it and expressing disbelief in its teachings.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Peck
Hosts the debate and defends slavery using the Bible; sends Carlton to his farm.
- Mr. Carlton
Visitor from Connecticut who debates slavery and attends the plantation sermon.
- Georgiana Carlton
Mr. Peck's daughter who argues for abolition and Christian love for all.
- Snyder
The missionary preacher who delivers a pro-slavery sermon to the enslaved people.
- Uncle Simon
An enslaved preacher who criticizes Snyder's sermon and claims he could do better.
- Ned Huckelby
The overseer who dines with Snyder and Carlton after the sermon.
Key passages
“That which is good does good, and that which is evil does evil. And as to duty, God's designs indicate his claims.”
Good actions produce good results, and evil actions produce evil results; our duty is determined by what God intends.
Georgiana uses this moral reasoning to argue against slavery.
“I regard all this talk about rights as mere humbug. The Bible is older than the Declaration of Independence, and there I take my stand.”
Mr. Peck dismisses the concept of rights as nonsense, asserting that the Bible is his ultimate authority, not the Declaration.
Mr. Peck rejects Enlightenment ideals in favor of a pro-slavery interpretation of scripture.
“Dees white fokes is de very dibble; and all dey whole study is to try to fool de black people.”
These white people are the devil; their only goal is to deceive black people.
An enslaved person expresses distrust and resistance after Snyder's sermon.